FNID surpasses $1 billion in drug seizures

The Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) conducted four operations between December 22 and 26. resulting in the arrest of six individuals and the seizure of several kilograms of cocaine.

This has officially pushed the total value of drugs seized by the FNID in 2025 past the $1-billion mark. On December 22, at 6:10 p.m., FNID personnel conducted a security check at the Norman Manley International Airport. During the check-in process for a flight destined for London Gatwick Airport in England, a suitcase belonging to 40-year-old Ashraf Uddin, a British national, was searched and six parcels containing cocaine weighing 17 pounds were found concealed in a blanket. The estimated street value of this seizure is $4.6 million. Uddin was taken into custody and charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, attempting to export cocaine, and conspiracy to export cocaine.

Earlier that evening, at 6 p.m., a joint team from FNID headquarters and FNID Area 2 intercepted a Toyota Corolla Wish motor car in Claremont, St Ann. A search of the vehicle was carried out, and rectangular parcels containing seven pounds of cocaine were found. The driver, identified as 30-year-old Jemar Briscoe, was arrested. He was charged on December 27, with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, trafficking cocaine and conspiracy. This seizure has an estimated street value of $1.9 million.

Also on December 22, FNID personnel conducted an operation at a premises in Irons Mountain, Claremont, St Ann. During the operation, 35-year-old Shanette Briscoe, a shop operator, was arrested after police discovered a quantity of ganja in her bedroom. She was charged with possession of and dealing in ganja. Then, at 3 p.m. on December 26, members of the St Mary Police Division intercepted a Toyota Voxy motor car on the Quebec main road with three men aboard. A search of the vehicle was carried out, during which three parcels containing eight pounds of cocaine were seized. FNID personnel were alerted, and all three men were arrested on reasonable suspicion; their identities are being withheld pending further investigations.

Acting Director of FNID, Superintendent of Police Oral Henry, said the team's relentless enforcement strategy has been yielding significant results.

"As of Saturday, December 27 we have seized 1,380 kilograms of cocaine since the start of the year, valued at over $825 million, 33,145 kilograms of ganja valued at more than $215 million, and more than 14,000 synthetic drugs valued at over $28 million. By removing these drugs from our nation's streets, we are disrupting the financial lifeline of organised crime syndicates to the tune of more than $1 billion," he said.

So far this year, FNID has achieved an 88 per cent conviction rate.

"Our impact is not just measured in the volume of narcotics seized, but in our conviction rate. We are sending a clear message to traffickers that our investigations are precise and our evidence robust," Henry added.